Synopses & Reviews
International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World is a comprehensive introduction that places social work history, practice, policy, and education within an international perspective. Two main themes-global interdependence and professional action-are emphasized in this complete examination of an increasingly global profession. The author provides a four-part definition of international social work, emphasizing competence for professional action in international aspects of domestic practice and policy; professional exchange; international development practice; and policy formulation and advocacy at the global level. The economic, cultural, environmental, and social welfare implications of global interdependence are addressed through a discussion of resource utilization, poverty, structural adjustment and the debt crisis, migration, HIV/AIDS, and the rights of women and children. A chapter on value and ethical dilemmas considers how context influences the ways in which social issues are approached, and case examples from Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean are used throughout the book to illustrate concepts. The text concludes with an exploration of universal concepts for social work around the world including social development, human rights, multiculturalism, social exclusion, sustainability, and security. From direct service to policy and administration, International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World provides a thorough overview of the international dimensions of social work practice. It is an essential text for all social work students and practitioners and provides a sound foundation for future academic and career exploration in international social work.
Review
"Lynne Healy's new edition of International Social Work will be welcomed by social work educators and practitioners alike who will find that it provides important new insights into the way the profession is responding to pressing social needs, and meeting the challenge of promoting social and human rights in our contemporary world. It deserves to be widely read."--James Midgley, Harry and Riva Specht Professor and Dean Emeritus, University of California, Berkeley
"As this comprehensive book thoroughly demonstrates, social work must be international to be relevant today. The social problems and conditions arising out of globalization create for the social work profession significant areas of international responsibility and demands for expanded knowledge and competencies. This, combined with the far-reaching opportunities offered by the technological revolution in communication, makes international involvement inevitable. This thoroughly researched and scholarly presentation of international social work in its every aspect-policy, practice, theory, history, education, ethics and values-should become required reading for social work faculty and students in North America and elsewhere, and for all professionals facing the challenge of improving human well-being in the 21st century."--from the new Foreword by Katherine A. Kendall
, Honorary President, IASSW
"Lynne Healy's new edition of International Social Work will be welcomed by social work educators and practitioners alike who will find that it provides important new insights into the way the profession is responding to pressing social needs, and meeting the challenge of promoting social and human rights in our contemporary world. It deserves to be widely read."--James Midgley, Harry and Riva Specht Professor and Dean Emeritus, University of California, Berkeley
"As this comprehensive book thoroughly demonstrates, social work must be international to be relevant today. The social problems and conditions arising out of globalization create for the social work profession significant areas of international responsibility and demands for expanded knowledge and competencies. This, combined with the far-reaching opportunities offered by the technological revolution in communication, makes international involvement inevitable. This thoroughly researched and scholarly presentation of international social work in its every aspect-policy, practice, theory, history, education, ethics and values-should become required reading for social work faculty and students in North America and elsewhere, and for all professionals facing the challenge of improving human well-being in the 21st century."--from the new Foreword by Kathleen A. Kendall, Honorary President, IASSW
Review
"Lynne Healy's book is a welcome addition to the growing literature in the field. The book is well organized, comprehensive, and very readable."--Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, March, 2002
"The publication of this thoroughly researched and scholarly presentation of international social welfare and social work in its every aspect-policy, practice, history, education, ethics, and values-is an event to be celebrated."--Katherine A. Kendall, Ph.D., Honorary President, IASSW (from the Foreword)
Synopsis
Written by the director of the country's first center for international social work studies, the original edition of this book set the stage for recent years' exponential increase of interest in international issues for social workers. This second edition is a thorough revision of that definitive text, and it expands on the sections most valuable to teachers, adds evocative photos from the author's own collection, and provides a wealth of new information to bring the book up-to-the-minute in usefulness.
A comprehensive treatment of international social work, the book emphasizes global interdependence and professional action, themes that provide the context for an engaging examination of social work issues in a global perspective. The book's four sections introduce major concepts and issues in international social work, review the global history of the social work profession as a whole, discuss global ethics, practice and policy, and values, and look ahead to the bright future of international exchange and development. From direct service to policy and administration, International Social Work provides a thorough overview of the international dimensions of social work practice, and is sure to remain the essential text for all social work students and practitioners, providing a sound foundation for future academic and career exploration.
About the Author
Lynne Healy, PhD, is a Professor of Social Work and Director of the Center for International Social Work Studies at the University of Connecticut.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Katherine A. Kendall Preface
1. International Social Work: Why Is It Important and What Is It?
Section I: The Context of International Social Work: Concepts, Issues and Organizations
2. Theories and Concepts Underpinning International Social Work: Globalization
3. Theories and Concepts Underpinning International Social Work: Development and Human Rights
4. Global Social Issues
5. International Social Welfare Organizations and their Functions
Section II: The Profession Internationally
6. The History of the Development of Social Work
7. International Professional Action: A Selective History
8. Social Work Around the World Today
Section III: International Social Work: Values, Practice and Policy
9. Values and Ethics for International Professional Action
10. International Relief and Development Practice, Lara Herscovitch and Lynne Healy
11. International/Domestic Practice Interface
12. Understanding and Influencing Global Policy
Section IV: Strengthening International Social Work: Strategies and Challenges
13. International Exchange: An Essential Mechanism for International Social Work
14. Social Work as a Force for Humane Global Change and Development
Appendix A: Ethics in Social Work: Statement of Principles -International Federation of Social Workers and International Association of Schools of Social Work
Appendix B: United Nations Millenneum Development Goals and Targets (MDGs)
Appendix C: United Nations Summit for Social Development- Ten Commitments
Appendix D: Human Development Index Rankings (HDI) for Countries
Appendix E: Milestones in the International History of Social Work Around the World
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
Index